The Cholderton and District Water Company was established by Act of Parliament over 100 years ago for the purpose of providing a reliable, safe and adequate supply of potable water to several parishes on the Hampshire/Wiltshire border. The company still provides the same service envisaged by its founder.

The last 50 years have seen major structural changes in the water industry largely driven by legislation. Throughout this period Cholderton has remained an independent privately owned company and is today the smallest of the statutory water undertakings providing a public water supply. Despite its size, Cholderton is subject to the same regulatory regime that applies to the other 18 major water companies.

The company currently supplies over 2,000 people in an area of around 21 square kilometres through some 800 service connections. The company is a water only supplier.

20% of the land area covered by the water company's distribution network is occupied by the Cholderton Estate which has close links to the water company. The estate is fully aware of the threat to water quality from industrial and agricultural run-off and a previous policy of minimal chemical usage has now been augmented by conversion to organic systems.